I also posted this on the Lupus board since I didn't know where to post:

My rheumatologist has been treating me with Humira for seronegative ankylosing spondylitis. Since I've had positive ANA continually for several years and I also have other symptoms so she still suspects I have more going on and at times has considered Lupus. Up until recently my ANA hasn't been that high. Yesterday though it came back 1:1280, although my inflammatory markers and those for Lupus still come back negative. My sed rate is only slightly elevated. My doctor is diagnosing me with inflammatory arthritis and wants me to add Methotrexate. I'm a bit nervous about taking it due to possible side effects, although she is also putting me on folic acid. Would you start on the Methotrexate? Also I know that a positive ANA doesn't necessarily mean anything but can it be that high and also continuously be positive and not indicate anything?

Thank you for getting back to me. I read your posts about the potato starch and I'm going to try that. I'm the meantime I'm not sure what to do about the Methotrexate and the Humira. Should I take it for a few months until I can see results from the potato starch? I've been on the Humira without any problems but I'm sorry concerned about the Methotrexate.

My rheumatoid factor is normal and my sed rate is only slightly elevated. None of the more specific tests are positive. She also thinks I have ankylosing spondylitis but again the blood test was negative for that. She is basing that diagnosis on my MRI which shows some changes in my SI joint as well as pain and stiffness in the SI joints. I also just had back surgery for Tarlov cysts so that complicates things. As far as the inflammatory arthritis I think she is diagnosing that based on my symptoms and my high ANA. I also respond well to steroids so she said that was another indication. I didn't think the Humira was working but when I was off it for a few months following surgery I was worse. I also tried Enbrel but that didn't help.

This is not one of the busier forums here at Healing Well. Secondly only members can post. Healing Well has a huge reader base only. Public forums are not for everyone, some people prefer to read & not post.SusieModerator in Chronic Pain & Psoriasis Forums